Just a friendly reminder, but the Xbox Live Update is up. All you have to do is turn on your Xbox 360 and watch the magic of the Internet as it flows into your console and gives it a bit… Continue Reading →

Just a friendly reminder, but the Xbox Live Update is up. All you have to do is turn on your Xbox 360 and watch the magic of the Internet as it flows into your console and gives it a bit of a tweak. The new changes include an easier-to-navigate Netflix program with better access to movies, Games on Demand (now you can download your Xbox 360 titles) and best of all the Avatar Marketplace.

Now, I mean you can dress up your dolls avatars with helmets from BioShock or Sam Fisher’s outfit from Splinter Cell. Personally, I bought a Gears of War 2 helmet for my virtual doll. I can’t believe I spent $2 on that, but I suppose it’ll be worth it when I’m pimping that and winning some points on 1 vs. 100 LIve.

]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/08/11/dress-up-your-avatar-with-the-xbox-live-update/feed/18photo.jpgRoundup: Wii Sports Resort sells, Xbox 360 lists titles for Games on Demand servicehttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/08/06/roundup-wii-sports-resort-sells-xbox-360-lists-titles-for-games-on-demand-service/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/08/06/roundup-wii-sports-resort-sells-xbox-360-lists-titles-for-games-on-demand-service/#commentsThu, 06 Aug 2009 15:46:01 +0000http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/?p=15830No surprise here. I had a slight inkling that Nintendo’s Wii Sports Resort would be selling like hotcakes, and the recent figure of more than 500,000 sold proves that to be true. That’s a lot of Wii MotionPlus accessories and… Continue Reading →

No surprise here. I had a slight inkling that Nintendo’s Wii Sports Resort would be selling like hotcakes, and the recent figure of more than 500,000 sold proves that to be true. That’s a lot of Wii MotionPlus accessories and discs. It also could be good for fans of Zelda. A while back at E3, Shigeru Miyamoto hinted that a new Legend of Zelda may support the peripheral if enough people bought it. Right now, it sounds as if that’s going to be very likely.

DOWNLOADING GAMES ON XBOX 360: On the Microsoft side, the Xbox 360 update is getting more excited as we get closer to its release. The biggest feature I’m looking forward to is the Games on Demand lineup. At least 21 games will be available for digital distribution and they include Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Prey (ah, I remember that game). I’m all for prettifying your avatar and more movies, but I’m more excite about downloading games I’ve missed. Looking forward to getting the update Aug. 11.

NEW FOOTBALL GAME: Lastly, EA had a conference call recently and they announced something Madden Arcade. It’s going to be a downloadable title that’s said to be similar to EA’s 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, according to ShackNews. It’s also coming later this holiday season.

You’ve gotta love Keita Takahashi. Anyone who could create anything as insane, fun and zany as Katamari Damacy deserves some sort of affection. Any time he talks or writes something you have to pay attention.

In his latest post for the PlayStation blog, he discusses the Noby Noby Boy update. I’ve downloaded the game and played it exactly once. It was just a little too weird for my tastes. But after reading about the new changes including things like FARTBOY, SYNCHROBOY and WEBWEBBOY, I would consider going back. I do want to get Noby Noby girl to Mars.

I know for those who haven’t played the game this sounds like jibberish, but you have to play the game and you’ll understand.

After hearing about the shiny new dashboard updates (seen above) I had my doubts the Xbox fall update would actually come in the fall. It’s a pretty big change after all, and on top of the new menu it includes… Continue Reading →

After hearing about the shiny new dashboard updates (seen above) I had my doubts the Xbox fall update would actually come in the fall. It’s a pretty big change after all, and on top of the new menu it includes the ability to make a Mii avatar. But, what do you know, according to a webcomic of all things the current target is still November.

It’s nice to see a console maker get a new feature out the door in the same year as the announced release date for once, isn’t it?

I really liked Battlefield: Bad Company – I really like anything that combines destructible buildings and the plot of Kelly’s Heroes – but I couldn’t really get into the multiplayer. Why? Because it has Battlefield in the name but failed… Continue Reading →

I really liked Battlefield: Bad Company – I really like anything that combines destructible buildings and the plot of Kelly’s Heroes – but I couldn’t really get into the multiplayer. Why? Because it has Battlefield in the name but failed to include Conquest, the one mode that’s been consistent in the series dating back to Battlefield 1942.

Well apparently I’m not the only one to think so because EA has announced Conquest as free DLC this Thursday on both the 360 and PS3.

Apparently controversy really does cause change. From paying for guns to an entire free multiplayer game mode? The gaming community should get outraged more often…

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: The PlayStation Blog just commented on the matter. Here’s the official word. As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. Weâ€™ve received a limited number of calls… Continue Reading →

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: The PlayStation Blog just commented on the matter. Here’s the official word.

As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. Weâ€™ve received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. While our consumer services department has seen a low volume of calls on this topic, we are committed to providing the PS3 community with XMB access features delivered in the v2.40 update. We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up.

Kotaku is reporting that Sony is pulling its v2.40 update. There’s been reports of people having hardware problems after downloading the firmware upgrade. Folks are reporting the system hanging on the wave during the start screen.

The PlayStation trophy/in-game XMB hit a little before midnight yesterday. I downloaded it. The v2.40 upgrade didn’t take that long to set up. There a couple of noticeable things though once you start up. The time and date is now… Continue Reading →

The PlayStation trophy/in-game XMB hit a little before midnight yesterday. I downloaded it. The v2.40 upgrade didn’t take that long to set up. There a couple of noticeable things though once you start up.

As for the trophies, it’s there. Unfortunately, there isn’t much support out there besides the first-party Sony titles. I tired playing Warhawk, and after the 55MB upgrade, it didn’t work. Nothing showed up on the screen.

Don’t know if it’s a bug or not. But it is annoying.

As for the in-game XMB, it is awesome. I never realized how much the PS3 needed this until I used it switching between games and listening to my own music. It’s very handy. Players just have to do a quick tap on the PS button and it’ll pop open. If you press and hold it, the usual quite game menu appears.

Now, if Sony can just bolster that trophy support and have it done by say tomorrow, I’d be a happy camper.

]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/07/02/playstation-3-trophies-in-game-xmb-and-more/feed/5PlayStation v2.40PlayStation trophies coming Wednesdayhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/06/30/playstation-trophies-coming-wednesday/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/06/30/playstation-trophies-coming-wednesday/#commentsMon, 30 Jun 2008 18:11:44 +0000http://www.ibabuzz.com/videogames/?p=626In-game XMB? Check. Putting your own soundtrack in a game? You can do it. Trophies? Yup, it’s there. Well, it seems some rumors were true and others weren’t, but the important news is that the trophy update is coming to… Continue Reading →

On the PlayStation blog, Sony set up some walkthroughs of the upcoming v2.40 update. The new software thankfully lets players navigate the XMB in-game. It adds some features that the Xbox 360 could do right out of the box like adding your own soundtrack and messaging friends. I’m just happy that Sony finally decided to implement these elements.

Along withe XMB, Sony is also adding a trophy system, which is the the PS3’s Gamerscore equivalent. The video above details everything. But the short of it is that the feature works a lot like the Gamerscore. Playes get bronze, silver and gold trophies based on certain goals. The all-powerful platinum trophy is obtained by getting all the trophies in a game.

These trophies all go toward your level, which appears on your Gamercard-like interface. Hmm, now all Sony need to do is allow you to check your trophies and Gamercard-like thing online and we’re set.

Lastly, Kotaku is reporting that these trophies won’t be retroactive. That news just elicited the biggest collective “Nooooooooooooooooooo!” since Darth Vader learned that Padme died. Players won’t be credited with work they’ve already done.

The rumors are running quick and rampant about the next PlayStation 3 update, otherwise known as the XMB upgrade. If you haven’t kept up, this is the firmware that adds an in-game Xross Media Bar and 2D trophies to the… Continue Reading →

The rumors are running quick and rampant about the next PlayStation 3 update, otherwise known as the XMB upgrade. If you haven’t kept up, this is the firmware that adds an in-game Xross Media Bar and 2D trophies to the system.

CVG says they have the full list of features in version 2.40 (that’s what the technical kids call it). It includes trophies, a gamer level system similar to Call of Duty 4 and in-game music? Nice … if it’s true.

The big difference between everyone is when this update will hit the Net. CVG’s sources say it’ll launch in three weeks, which puts it conveniently near E3. hmmm.

Meanwhile, Destructoid says rumors point to an announcement on Monday along with demos and such.

Frankly, I just want it now. But just to add to the rumor pool, I’ll say that I’ve heard that the new PS3 update cures cancer. There you go. Another rumor.

Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, just posted some news on the PlayStation blog outlining the next couple of updates. The one coming closest (v2.36) will improve stability. Oh that’s ho-hum. It’s nice to have but I don’t care… Continue Reading →

Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, just posted some news on the PlayStation blog outlining the next couple of updates.

The one coming closest (v2.36) will improve stability. Oh that’s ho-hum. It’s nice to have but I don’t care much about that. On the other hand, there’s patch v2.40, which includes the in-game XMB expecting that since the Game Developers Conference in February. But what’s this? He added something extra

The update will also include â€œtrophies,â€ an exciting new feature that weâ€™ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements.